Transport: More new trains, more new roads and new commuter services in Cork as well as a new railway terminus in the Dublin Docklands were the highlights of the Transport Estimate according to the Minister for Transport, Mr Cullen. Tim O'Brien reports.
Claiming "record infrastructure investment" in rail, road and bus transport, the Minister said the allocation of more then €2.1 billion would provide for the purchase of 143 DART and diesel rail cars; provide almost 400 kilometres of new roads and build a new central Dublin railway station to relieve pressure on Connolly Station.
The budget estimate also includes provision for €4 million payable to the Irish Aviation Authority in respect of use of Irish airspace by foreign military aircraft which are exempt from charges. The provision for 2004 was €3.1 million.
There was also marginally more money for regional airports - up from €22.5 million to €24 million - and for the administration and expenses of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) which go up from €10.5 million to €12 million, a rise of 14 per cent.
The figures also reveal that the Dublin Transportation Office, which plans transport strategy in the Dublin area, is to receive €41 million in 2005, a similar figure to that provided in 2004.
Provision for the capital costs of Dublin's Light Rail is to rise from €125 million to just under €127 million in 2005.
In terms of the national roads programme, the Department has been given an estimate of €1.319 billion which is to be added to a "carry over from last year" of €50 million and a contribution from the private sector of €245 million in public-private partnerships.
The Minister said the money would allow the completion of 367 kilometres of new road. Schemes to begin in 2005 were the M1 Drynam Interchange; the N1 Border to Dundalk; the M3 Clonee to south of Virgina; the N4 Edgeworthstown by-pass; the N6 Kinnegad/Athlone phase one; the N8/N73 Mitchelstown relief road; N11 Enniskerry Junction improvements; the N25 Kinsale Road Interchange; the Waterford City by-pass; phase one of the M50 improvements and the N56 Mountain Top road in Co Donegal, the Minister confirmed.
However it is uncertain if the M3 Clonee to south of Virginia road or the Waterford City bypass will go to construction next year due to environmental concerns and possible legal challenges.
In terms of public transport, the provision is to rise by 6 per cent to €686 million which will provide for 36 additional railcars on the Sligo/Maynooth line and the commencement of the Cork commuter rail services from Mallow to Midleton.
The subvention to CIÉ companies is being increased by 3 per cent to €269 million.
Some €9 million is to be spent on the development of integrated ticketing for transport services which the Minister said would initially facilitate Dublin but would extend State-wide at a later date.